Posts Tagged Mobile Advertising
Apple® Goes BACK TO THE FUTURE With Mobile Web Design
Posted by Sheryl Sargent in Entertainment, Mobile Web Design on November 10, 2010
Two-way, video conferencing was said to be the way of the future. Well, welcome to the future. What took so long? After little to no success during its commercial launch in the 1970s, the technology became available via internet through fixed sources, such as Skype, somewhat recently.
However, as the excitement of having this capability subsides, you may say, “but I don’t want anyone to see me.” In fact, that is the reason “TV phones” were not accepted. The idea was too intrusive. (After all, one of the great things about phoning is your ability to look …shall we say, not up to par while the person on the opposite end is none-the-wiser.)
Now let’s hop back into the old DeLorean to 2010…
Today, Apple recycles this technology, adding an element that may eclipse initial concerns of privacy. Pioneering mobile video conferencing, the iPhone 4 enables users to communicate with the live “FaceTime” feature. Equipped with two cameras (located in front and back), the device can display the user or what is in front of the user, giving the option of switching cameras through the duration of the conversation.
Let’s consider other benefits of mobile video conferencing.
This technology adds another dynamic to conversations, allowing both parties (if he or she chooses) to experience not only each other, but their surroundings. This now goes beyond video conferencing, person-to-person interaction.
Let’s say there’s a conversation, about a problem at a worksite, between a contractor located in the field and his supervisor located at home office. As the contractor discloses the issue, he can show live feed of the problem to his supervisor, enabling them to work on the solution faster, rather than take pictures or wait for the supervisor to arrive.
Mobile video conferencing, used in this way, can increase productivity, save money, and time, all essential elements in business. This form of communication is also good for real-time surveillance, educating groups, and emergency response.
…And there is more mobile enabling on the way. Are you ready? Begin with mobile web design.
In the words of the totally awesome Marty McFly, “If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything.”
Marion Rids Mobile Web Woes
Posted by Sheryl Sargent in Graphic Design, Internet Marketing, Mobile Marketing, Mobile Web Design, Web Design on November 4, 2010
It’s safe to say the majority of us have developed somewhat of a dependency to our mobile phones. Obviously businesses have been paying attention to consumer trends since smartphones can be used for almost anything nowadays, from check deposits all the way to a virtual flame for “candlelit” dinners (yes, there’s an app for that). So, one would think mobile web would be more mobile friendly.
However, according to a June 2010 survey from Gomez, a web performance monitoring firm, one-third of US mobile internet users’ most common complaint is site formatting. Slightly fewer complained of slow load times and nearly a fifth said the worst problem was functionality. Although many users anticipate some degree of connectivity problems, they expect on-the-go web accessibility, and unfortunately, it’s just not happening. Therefore, it’s up to the publishers of these websites to accommodate. [Enter Marion, stage right.]
Marion designs mobile-friendly sites, formatted specifically for mobile devices. If you are a smartphone user, pull out your phone and visit www.marion.com to experience our mobile website.
This mobile formatting facilitates an ease of navigation and readable content. Users no longer have to zoom in and out incessantly or scroll from one end of the page to the other searching for buttons. Site content is condensed, leaving only essential text and removing the flash (because some phones aren’t compatible).
As an added benefit, users can contact you with a single touch. The phone will automatically dial when users press your number, email you when the email button is clicked, or display a map when “Map” is touched. AND IT GETS BETTER. It will also show the user where they are in relation to your business. If for any reason visitors wish to view the classic version of your site they have that option as well.
Let Marion help you better accommodate your customers with your own mobile-friendly website. And for impressive custom web design to boot, contact us to develop a site that turns your brand message into visual success. [Cue fireworks and tap dance number.]
* Some information stated above is provided by eMarketer.
QR Codes & Mobile Web Design, The Dynamic Duo
Posted by Sheryl Sargent in Internet Marketing, Mobile Marketing, QR Codes, Uncategorized, Web Design on November 2, 2010
QR code usage without a mobile-friendly website linked to it is like Batman without Robin. Sure the dark knight can fight crime without him, but it’s best when they’re together. The same can be said for QR codes and mobile web formatting. Without the dynamic duo, you’re completely diluting the user experience. The blend of excitement and curiosity is soon deflated by the frustration of navigating a regular site designed for a pc screen. Depending on the content and design of the site, it’s possible that they’ll even lose interest.
When connected to a mobile-friendly website you maximize your chances of transforming traffic into conversions, which is the end goal after all.
Grab your smartphone and visit www.marion.com to see our mobile web design or click here to witness the Dynamic Duo in action.
QR Code Spotting at Best Buy
Posted by Sheryl Sargent in Internet Marketing, Mobile Marketing, QR Codes on October 25, 2010
Fact tag with product specific QR Code
Popular techno-toy retailer, Best Buy implemented QR codes in their retail marketing strategy this September. Although American consumers have yet to fully adapt to QR codes it seems like a smart choice to be the first-mover given current technological and consumer trends.
Based on a June consumer survey, Insight Express (IE) reported 82% of the 1300 adult mobile user surveyed used mobile phones while shopping. Studies also suggest a majority of consumers are doing online research before making purchases in store and most mobile usage will soon be through mobile devices rather than the computer.
Now, Best Buy improves their product fact tags (found beneath their corresponding product) with QR codes for their smartphone equipped customers. The QR code links customers to detailed information about the product they are considering, such as reviews, feature comparisons with similar products, and the option of emailing product details to a friend. With the implementation of QR codes, Best Buy intends to create a complete customer experience.
Marion agrees. Mobile internet usage is frequent and growing exponentially. Whether or not you choose to implement QR codes in your marketing strategy, be sure to equip your website with a mobile-friendly design so you too can give your customers the complete mobile-user experience. Contact Marion to get started.
Building Your Mobile Presence
Posted by admin in Mobile Marketing on March 19, 2010
Like with any marketing “endeavor”, before you can begin “construction” on your mobile presence, you should first build a solid foundation with a mobile strategy. Determine your target audience, the best ways to target them and what type of experience you want them to have. But, remember, the “experience” and information that your target audience seeks will be different from when they are sitting at a computer.
Smartphone Demographics:
BlackBerry: The typical user is a “salt-and-pepper” businessman who uses the phone primarily for email and messaging. He doesn’t surf the web much and doesn’t use many apps, save a few utility programs.
iPhone: Tech-obsessed, wealthy (highest percentage of users rake in more than $100,000), less likely to have kids (62% don’t) and are an active bunch.
Android: It’s growing fast, so these stats can change, but for now, it’s a phone for geeks – 73% of its users are male and 33% are single.
Palm: Most popular with older users who advertisers assume were fans of the old Palm Pilot – but there are fewer and fewer of them. Its smartphone market fell from 8.3% to 6.1% from September to December 2009.
Smartphone technology is continuing to expand by the day, so it’s important to develop and implement your mobile strategy to reach your target audience, but remain flexible to meet the ever-changing technology.
Mobile Web Design
Every company should have a mobile website. People are beginning to expect information to be instantly at their fingertips, and having a mobile website can give your audience the information they want and help you gain the leading edge over your competition.
The Marion Group can provide your company with custom mobile web design that allows your new mobile website to have the same look and feel of your “regular” site. However, in certain ways, your new mobile website should be different than your regular website.
The most obvious difference between your regular site and your mobile site is that your mobile site should be “skinny” – minimal images, only necessary content, the quickest and easiest way to contact you and maybe a map of your location, if it will benefit the user. By keeping your mobile site “skinny” and pared down, you can decrease the load time of your site on the user’s mobile device, creating faster access to your information, and making the information easier to locate on a teeny-tiny screen.
Advantages to having a mobile website:*
- Mobile websites can work on 100% of mobile devices that have browsers, allowing you to reach a broader audience
- The user experience can be optimized to highlight your common denominator
- You can publish content when you want – no approval is needed from the manufacturer app store
- It doesn’t require your customer to download a new version every time you update the site (like a mobile app does)
- It can be cheaper to develop because you don’t need to port it across different operating systems
- Marion can gather metrics regarding visitors to your mobile site and determine your return on investment (ROI) on your mobile efforts
Mobile App Development
Mobile apps aren’t for every company, but under the right circumstances, a mobile app can be an excellent supplemental effort to your mobile strategy. A mobile app can give your customer a richer experience than your mobile web site could ever provide.
And that brings up an important fact: your mobile app should not be a repeat of your mobile site, but, again, it should have the same “look and feel” as your other marketing efforts.
Advantages to having a mobile app:*
- Mobile apps allow you to build a richer experience for your customer without affecting data speeds
- Mobile apps can take advantage of your phone’s features like GPS, camera and voice
- When self-contained, mobile apps can work offline when the user is not connected to the mobile Web
- Mobile apps are relatively inexpensive to build and maintain, given only one operating system is involved
- Mobile apps can become an extension of your brand
For more information on how The Marion Group can assist your company in developing a mobile marketing strategy, building a mobile website or creating a mobile app, give us a call at 713.623.6444 or email us at info2@marion.com.
* MobileMarketer.com and Lenati.com
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